Archive for July, 2008

Religion, notably Protestantism, played a central role in the life of the colonists, illustrated by the famous cross-planting at Cape Henry and the early construction of several churches within the Jamestown colony.

Although slavery was not a prominent component of the early Jamestown settlement, the institution took root in Virginia with the growth of the tobacco industry and became a prototype for the other colonies.

Jamestown was founded primarily as a commercial investment by the shareholders of The Virginia Company. But the colony simply struggled to survive for many years. Tobacco eventually proved to be the “gold” of the region - although the original Jamestown investors never did reap their own hoped-for returns.

Trade between the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan Indians became increasingly important. The English relied on the Indians for food and information, while the Powhatan found English copper and metal tools desireable.

Powhatan was the paramount chief of some 30 Powhatan Indian tribes when English settlers arrived at Jamestown in 1607. His daughter Pocahontas befriended the English and at times served as intermediary between the two cultural groups.

Brought to Jamestown as a captive, Captain John Smith became part of the governing council of Jamestown and an iconic historical figure due to his skillful leadership of the threatened colony and strong relationships with the Native Americans.

Early 17th-century Jamestown colonists had a difficult time adjusting to the environment of Virginia. For several years, the colony struggled through supply shortages, sickness, death and lack of strong leadership, and it depended on a constant stream of settlers and provisions to survive.